We use cookies to give you the best possible experience of our website. Some of the cookies we use identify your browsing habits and enable us to show you other content and products relevant to your interests. If you continue, we'll assume you're happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website. See our cookie policy for more information on cookies and how to manage them.

Beetroot seed cake

Many new mums-to-be find themselves looking for extra snacks between meals as their appetite increases. It can be tempting to give in to the lure of sweets and chocolate treats, but instead invest some time making this healthy cake. You can cut it into 8-12 slices and it will keep in an airtight container. The beetroot not only gives it an amazing colour and moist texture, but beetroot is also one of the highest sources of folate.

Ingredients (Serves 8-12)

Butter or oil, for greasing

225g self-raising flour

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp ground cinnamon

180ml sunflower oil

225g light muscovado sugar

3 eggs, separated

150g raw beetroot, peeled and grated

Juice of half a lemon

75g sultanas or raisins

75g mixed seeds (such as sunflower, pumpkin and linseed)

Method

Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Beat the oil and sugar in a food mixer until well combined, then introduce the egg yolks one by one, mixing after you add each egg yolk. Fold the grated beetroot into the egg mixture, then add the lemon juice, sultanas and the seeds. Pulse until combined. Then fold the flour into the egg mixture whilst the machine is on a slow setting.

Beat the egg whites until light and almost stiff. Fold gently but thoroughly into the cake mixture, using a large metal spoon. Pour the mixture into the cake tin and bake for 50-55 minutes, covering the top with a piece of foil after 30 minutes. Test with a skewer – the cake should be moist inside but not sticky. Leave the cake to settle for a good 20 minutes before turning out of its tin onto a wire cooling rack.